Area/Topic
Adventure Tourism, Family Business, Challenges & Rewards

Kasey Austin Morrissey
Head of Global Product & President USA
Austin Adventures & Active Adventures

Kasey was born in Alaska and raised in Montana. She graduated from the University of Montana, Missoula with a degree in Education. A member of the Austin family (Dan Austin’s daughter), Kasey grew up in the industry and has worked her way up doing just about every job in the company. She’s now the Head of the Product Team, ensuring Austin & Active’s product line-up is top notch and the Operations & Guide teams have what they need to deliver an amazing trip for our guests worldwide. There’s nothing that Kasey loves more than going on a hike with her husband, daughter, and dogs. But she also will try just about anything – skydiving, bungee jumping, paragliding, etc. – at least once!

https://austinadventures.com/

Summary
In this episode, Jason Elkins interviews Kasey Austin Morrissey, the head of global product for Austin Adventures and Active Adventures. Kasey shares her background growing up in the adventure travel industry, as her father bought an adventure travel business when she was six years old. She talks about the challenges and perks of working in a family business, the impact on family life, and the risk involved in adventure travel. Kasey also discusses her husband's involvement in the business and the importance of balancing work and personal life. Kasey shares her experience of navigating the challenges brought by COVID-19 to her family's adventure travel business, Austin Adventures. She discusses the impact of the pandemic on the company, including the emotional toll it took on her family and the need to adapt and diversify. Kasey also talks about the decision to merge with Active Adventures and the benefits it brought, such as a better work-life balance and the ability to delegate and empower her team. She emphasizes the importance of in-person connections and the hope that adventure travel brings in a world that is becoming increasingly isolated.

Takeaways

• Growing up in the adventure travel industry can provide unique experiences and opportunities.
• Working in a family business means that work and personal life are often intertwined.
• Adventure travel involves both challenges and perks, including the risk associated with the industry.
• Balancing work and personal life is essential for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the adventure travel industry, forcing businesses to adapt and diversify.
• Transitioning from a family business to a non-family business can provide opportunities for personal growth and a better work-life balance.
• Learning to delegate and empower the team is crucial for business success and personal well-being.
• Remote work presents both challenges and advantages, requiring new strategies for training and communication.
• In-person connections and the joy of discovering new experiences are the essence of adventure travel and provide hope in a world that is becoming increasingly isolated.

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